The Group Travel Leader February 2017

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FEBRUARY 2017

Insider Tip #37 - Visit the Overlook Café to enjoy the best ice cream while sitting on a deck overlooking the Falls.

“When groups come to Sioux Falls, they want to know insider secrets, like where to get the best views. And that is exactly why we are here – to share our insider tips that ensure your attendees have a fantastic experience.”

-Jackie Wentworth, Sales Manager jwentworth@siouxfalls.com

When your group is inspired by a legacy of strength, courage and nonviolence.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site | Atlanta, GA

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Get your copy of the 2017 Group Tour Planner at ExploreGeorgia.org/ROAM

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Make your next group tour in Georgia an inspiring one. Learn something new, expand your horizons and see how the mission of nonviolent social change at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is marching on, and that is Pretty. Sweet.

Plan a truly enlightening group tour today at ExploreGeorgia.org/travel-professionals.

Insider Tip #27 - SculptureWalk features over 55 sculptures in an outdoor art exhibit along the streets of a vibrant downtown.

Grab a guide and vote for your favorite.

When your group is inspired by a legacy of strength, courage and nonviolence.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site | Atlanta, GA

Indulg Indulg encen e ce

Music ven nary ues, Musicculi del , andvenues culinar retail ights, y delight the and retail theraps, rapy y

ER

Amazing mrsazin ExA nsg Ecu xcurio sions

Inspiring itine raries for road trips Inspirin Georgia road ing itinerari trips in Ge es for orgia

Get your copy of the 2017 Group Tour Planner at ExploreGeorgia.org/ROAM

Historic Ritz Theatre, Schaefer Center, Toccoa EXPLOREGE

EXPLO

ORGIA.ORG

Histo Thea tre, ric Ritz Cent Schaefer er, Tocc oa

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de thri everyth rs, man-made lls, thrills, ing and in bet and everything in between ween

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IAL GEOR THE GIA GROUP TOUR OFFIC PLANNER IAL GE ORGIA GROU P TO UR

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Make your next group tour in Georgia an inspiring one. Learn something new, expand your horizons and see how the mission of nonviolent social change at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is marching on, and that is Pretty. Sweet.

Plan a truly enlightening group tour today at ExploreGeorgia.org/travel-professionals.

GROUP T HE

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table ofCONTENTS VOL 27 | ISSUE 2

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8 FA M I LY M AT T E R S NEW MUSEUMS

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FEBRUARY 2017 O N TH E COVER

A young musician strolls on the beach at Larrabee State Park in Washington’s San Juan Islands. By Brandon Sawaya

FEATURES

CATCH THE SOUNDS OF THE CITY IN THESE SOULFUL NEIGHBORHOODS.

on

PUGET SOUND A tour of northwest Washington showcases natural and cultural treasures.

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NEW YORK SPOTLIGHT

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MAC T. LACY CHARLES A. PRESLEY BRIAN JEWELL HERBERT SPARROW DONIA SIMMONS DAVID BROWN

Founder and Publisher Partner Executive Editor Senior Writer Creative Director Art Director

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ELIZA MYERS CHRISTINE CLOUGH SAVANNAH OSBOURN ASHLEY RICKS KELLY TYNER STACEY BOWMAN

Online Editor Copy Editor Staff Writer Circulation Manager Director of Sales & Marketing Advertising Sales Director

888.25 .0455 KELLY@GROUPTR AVELLEADER.COM

The GROUP TRAVEL LEADER is published monthly by THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc., 301 East High St., Lexington, Kentucky 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified group leaders who plan travel for groups of all ages and sizes. THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER serves as the official magazine of GROUP TRAVEL FAMILY, the organization for traveling groups. All other travel suppliers, including tour operators, destinations, attractions, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants and other travelrelated companies may subscribe to THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER by sending a check for $59 for one year to: THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Circulation Department, 301 East High St., Lexington, KY 40507. Phone (859) 253-0455 or (859) 253-0503. Copyright THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

“ONE GENERATION SHALL PRAISE YOUR WORKS TO

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ANOTHER, AND SHALL DECLARE YOUR MIGHTY ACTS.”

—Psalm 145:4, NKJV

Give them an experience that will last.

The Berlin Wall ex

hibit inside the Bi

lly Graham Library

Bring

your family to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C., and discover how a humble farmer’s son became pastor to the presidents and shared God’s love with millions of people around the world. Retrace his dynamic journey as history comes to life through inspiring multimedia presentations and state-of-the-art exhibits.

FREE ADMISSION Monday to Saturday, 9:30–5:00 • BillyGrahamLibrary.org • 704-401-3200 Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more; email LibraryTours@bgea.org or call 704-401-3270.

4330 Westmont Drive • Charlotte, North Carolina A ministry of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

©2016 BGEA

“The No. 1 thing to do in Charlotte.”

mark

EDITOR’S T HE

have seen the future of in-flight entertainment, and it is awesome.

If you’re like me, you may have had a lovehate relationship with airline entertainment options for much of your traveling life. There’s no question that watching a movie or two can provide a welcome distraction on long flights, especially overseas flights that can last half a day or more. Yet the viewer experience has always come with limited choices and frustrating inconveniences.

For years, travelers’ only option was to watch the single movie projected on bulkhead screens or overhead monitors throughout the entire aircraft, whether they liked the film or not. Listening to the audio required the use of cheap, uncomfortable, crummysounding headphones provided by the airline, sometimes at a cost.

The advent of seatback entertainment systems alleviated a lot of these problems, allowing individual travelers to select from a menu of programming to watch on a small personal monitor. But there were drawbacks to this, too: The images on those screens could be fuzzy, and the user interface could be clunky.

And these seatback systems required a sizable computer unit to be installed at the base of each seating row, cutting into precious legroom or carry-on storage space.

Fortunately, the proliferation of smartphones and tablets aboard aircraft, as well as major strides in midair Wi-Fi technology, has created an elegant solution to those problems. New entertainment systems don’t require seatback monitors, overhead projectors or bulky computers. They allow passengers to access a library of

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programming over the plane’s wireless network using their own phones, tablets and computers — a concept known as “bring your own device,” or BYOD. I got to experience the beauty of BYOD entertainment in December when I flew from Lexington, Kentucky, to Phoenix for a conference. The long segments of my flights there and back were with Delta, which has established itself as a leader in the BYOD space. The airline’s signature Delta Studio program offers a robust select of movies, TV shows, music, podcasts and other entertainment available for streaming. I enjoyed a movie and binge-watched episodes of a hilarious comedy that I don’t get at home.

The content came straight to my iPad using the airline’s custom-built app and streamed in flawless high definition without any delays or buffering breaks.

Perhaps the best part of this was the cost: Delta Studio is free. Though there is a charge for accessing other web content through the plane’s Wi-Fi, I didn’t have to pay to join the network to use Delta Studio. There was no charge to watch the content either. Some other domestic airlines offer BYOD streaming entertainment as well but charge a rental fee for programming.

There is more great inflight technology coming down the pike, too.

The first generation of airplane internet service was pitifully slow and maddeningly unreliable, but advances in air-to-ground networking gear now promise true broadband internet service in the sky, giving passengers access to data-intensive services like Netflix when they choose to purchase inflight internet. These systems have already been installed on some domestic airliners, and plans are in place to outfit many hundreds more in the coming years.

It has become something of a sport for travelers to complain about airlines. And there’s room for criticism in areas ranging from scheduling and pricing to ancillary fees and customer service. But I believe in giving credit where credit is due, and Delta deserves a lot of credit for delivering a sleek, diverse and enjoyable entertainment experience.

The future is advancing at an ever-faster pace, and I for one am excited to see what comes next.

All Roads Lead To...

Atlanta’s DeKalb

ENJOY...

Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision at Stone Mountain Park Fernbank Museum of Natural History New Outdoor Adventure - “WildWoods and Fernbank Forest” Your DeKalb Farmers Market - One of the World’s Largest Indoor Markets The Battery @ SunTrust Park (Braves) - Shopping, Dining & Concert Venue (20 Minutes North of Downtown Atlanta - Easy Access from I-285 & I-75) Hotel Group Amenities - Welcome Signage, Baggage Handling, Special Drivers Rate, Interior Corridors, One Comp Room 1/20 and On-Site Security Itinerary and Packaging Services, Competitive Bids and FAM Opportunities

WE WANT YOUR GROUPS! Discover DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau Michael Vescio - Tour & Travel Sales Manager Direct: 770-492-5012 | mikev@dcvb.org

DiscoverDeKalb.com

FAMILY MATTERS

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Photo by Dan Dickson GLOBUS REPRESENTATIVES MATT GALLOWAY, SECOND FROM LEFT, AND DIANE WILHELM-HAGEN, FAR RIGHT, HOST A TABLE AT LAST YEAR’S SUPER BOWL PARTY DURING THE SELECT TRAVELER CONFERENCE.

SALEM, Ohio — Group travel planners from across the country have been relying on the Globus Family of Brands to deliver its members the best in escorted group vacations for decades.

Globus has celebrated more than 85 years of serving traveling groups and providing a variety of vacations that address today’s diverse travelers.

Globus has maintained a steady and continual presence with group travel planners and their travel groups with a long history of participating in events including the Select Traveler Conference, the Going On Faith Conference, the African American Travel Conference and Boomers In Groups. Their support of group travel at these conferences has established a lasting relationship with travel groups, which look to Globus for quality trips to favorite destinations as well as recommendations for new places to visit.

Today, Globus offers tours to hundreds of places throughout Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Africa.

“Globus has dedicated themselves to the group travel planner and ensuring that every travel group experiences the destination with complete satisfaction, and we have witnessed that for the past 15 years that Globus has been at our conferences,” said Joe Cappuzzello, president of The Group Travel Family.

Groups traveling with Globus even enjoy their own Group Leader Portal to ensure quality communications. To learn more about Globus, attend one of the conferences listed above, or call them direct at 866-821-2752.

NEW IOWA CENTER TO INTERPRET DRIF TLESS AREA ALONG MISSISSIPPI RIVER LANSING, Iowa — The new Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center, overlooking the Mississippi River in northeastern Iowa, will provide visitors with detailed information about the unusual features of the four-state driftless area.

Currently under construction, the building expects to have interpretive displays installed by April 2017, with a grand opening shortly afterward.

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The rugged terrain of the driftless area, also known as the Paleozoic Plateau, covers about 24,000 square miles in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. It is so named because the most recent glaciers skirted the area and did not deposit much of the sand, gravel, rocks and clay known as drift.

The 10,000-square-foot, three-story facility will have two outdoor observation decks for views of the

river and its bluffs.

Its interpretive displays also will explain the cultural, social and economic history of the region, including an array of artifacts about Lansing’s commercial fishing industry local ice harvests, clamming and clamshell button manufacturing.

W W W.T R AV EL IOWA.COM

DIVERSIT Y REPORT DETAILS GROUP TRAVEL SEGMENTS SALEM, Ohio — The travel industry has discovered that marketing to a diverse set of traveling groups is paying rewards in increased booking in 2017.

A recent survey conducted of more than 500 travel groups attending targeted affinity travel conferences reported a 7 percent uptick in travel, compared with the travel industry in general.

“We have seen an increase in the total number of travel clubs and organizations, especially affinity groups where people already have a common thread,” said Teresa Burton of The Group Travel Family. The Group Travel Family is the nation’s leading organization focusing on affinity group travel and counts 25,000 travel clubs in its network of seven trade associations.

The survey conducted on-site at seven conferences in 2016 points to a growing population of boomers and church clubs and an African-American market that is enjoying group travel at a rate twice that of the population as a whole. The latter is of special interest to destination marketing organizations, hotels, attractions and restaurants because it indicates a strong growth potential for bookings.

To receive a complimentary copy of the Diversity in Group Travel Report, send an email to tburton@ grouptravelfamily.com.

UNIVERSIT Y OF IOWA REBOUNDS FROM FLOODING WITH TWO NEW BUILDINGS IOWA CITY, Iowa — Two major arts buildings were set to reopen this fall at the University of Iowa as the school emerges from historic flooding in 2008 that devastated much of its arts campus.

The new $176 million Hancher Auditorium performing arts center with an 1,800-seat theater was built just north of the original building and seven feet above the 500-year flood plain. Its exterior features 14,000 brushed steel panels.

The glass-lined, six-level $152 million Voxman Music Building reunites under one roof the 450 music students who have been meeting in several interim facilities across the campus. It features a 700-seat concert hall and twisted terra cotta architecture.

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INDUSTRY NEWS NEW COMPLEX GREATLY EXPANDS ELVIS PRESLEY’S GRACEL AND MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Elvis Presley’s Graceland debuted its new $45 million, 200,000-square-foot entertainment complex, Elvis Presley’s Memphis, with a weekend of activities March 2-5.

The cornerstone of the Elvis Presley’s Memphis experience, located across the street from Graceland Mansion, is Elvis: The Entertainer, a 20,000-square-foot museum celebrating Presley’s music, movie and touring career.

This museum features hundreds of artifacts from the Graceland archives, from Presley’s early days in Tupelo, Mississippi, through his first recording session in Memphis, rise to fame, Hollywood career, service in the U.S. Army, life at Graceland, the Las Vegas years and more.

A new Elvis Presley Automobile Museum called Presley Motors showcases more than 20 of

By Jeffrey Jacobs, courtesy EPE THE GUEST HOUSE AT GRACELAND, WHICH OPENED IN OCTOBER, IS PART OF THE NEW $45 MILLION ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX, ELVIS PRESLEY’S MEMPHIS.

his automobiles and motorized vehicles, including the iconic pink Cadillac, while Presley’s two custom airplanes, the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II, remain from the existing Graceland experience.

A 20,000-square-foot Graceland Soundstage, with theater seating for up to 2,000, is a venue for live music performances, movie screenings and premieres.

The new facility also features two themed restaurants named for Elvis’ parents, Gladys and Vernon. Gladys’ Diner features classic American fare, while Vernon’s Smokehouse features authentic Memphis barbecue, smoked in-house.

A coffee bar and ice cream shop are also located within the complex, along with new retail stores offering an extensive collection of Presley merchandise.

Elvis Presley’s Memphis is Phase 2 of the planned Graceland expansion and development. Phase 1, the AAA Four Diamond Guest House at Graceland, a 450-room resort hotel, opened last October.

W W W.GR ACEL A N D.COM

PHILADELPHIA

Happy Groups, Happy Planners We make it easy: ■

Assistance with itinerary planning

■

Convenient motorcoach dropoff and parking

■

Plenty of new and educational attractions and events throughout the city

We’re here to help.

Contact Jim DePhilippo at 215-636-3312 or jim@discoverPHL.com

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AL ABAMA’S HIS TORIC MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO RESTORED TO 1970’S FEEL SHEFFIELD, Alabama — Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama, the site of recordings by some of the world’s best-known musical acts, from the Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan, reopened in January after a $1 million renovation.

The main studio in the concrete-block building has been revamped with a 1970s feel, with bright colors, retro chairs and metal ashtray; the sign over front door restored to its bright blue; and vintage recording equipment fills the production booth.

Among the other artists who recorded at the studio, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, were Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Cocker, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart and Cat Stevens.

Even before it reopened, the Alabama Tourism Department named the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio as the state’s top attraction in 2017.

W W W A L A B A M A.T R AV EL W W W. MSMUSICF OU N DAT ION.ORG

BRING YOUR GROUP TO

PRIZER POINT FOR

and Fun!

THE $1 MILLION RENOVATION OF MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO BROUGHT THE FACILITY BACK TO THE LOOK OF ITS 1970S HEYDAYS.

Fishing & Boat Rentals • Water Park & Ropes Course Lakefront Condos & Cabins • RV & Tent Sites Restaurant • Outdoor Movies • Hiking • Biking Trails

1-800-548-2048

Near Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area in the Kentucky Lakes Region on Lake Barkley Courtesy Alabama Tourism Department

www.prizerpoint.com

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ABA SEES BOOM TIMES AT 2017 MARKETPLACE

BY B R I A N J E W E L L

PERFORMERS AT THE ANNUAL BROADWAY LUNCH

A MOTORCOACH EXHIBIT

MEMBERS OF OHIO’S MARKETPLACE DELEGATION

Photos by KRR Photography, courtesy ABA

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The American Bus Association (ABA) welcomed more than 3,300 delegates to its annual Marketplace conference last month and has experienced a surging growth in membership that points to boom times for the association and its constituents.

“We brought in 615 new members here, which is a high-water mark by about 200,” said Peter Pantuso, ABA president and CEO. “I would like to think it’s because we are doing a good job representing our members.”

ABA’s growth comes in an economic environment that also promises growth for many of its members. Travel companies such as airlines and hotels raised prices throughout 2016, and some terrorism in popular destinations in Europe have led many travelers to focus their attention on domestic destinations for 2016 and 2017, according to tour operators who attended the convention.

“For our industry, I think the outlook is very strong,” Pantuso said. “People are telling us that 2015 and 2016 were their best years ever. All of the elements are coming together for the group travel industry.”

The convention, which was held in Cleveland, took place January 14-17, just days before the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, so the transition to new political leadership was topic of frequent discussion. And while there are many unknowns when a new president — especially one as unpredictable as Trump — takes office, Pantuso said that the new administration will present some positive opportunities for the association and the tourism industry in general.

Recent years have brought a bevvy of new transportation regulations, he said, some of which have been perceived as onerous by motorcoach companies. Trump, who ran on a platform of widespread deregulation, may offer some relief on that front.

“We don’t think we’ll see as much regulation from the federal government in 2017,” Pantuso said. “Instead, we’ll see a lot of new relationship building in government. We have good channels to be able to give input into the regulation process, and there are a lot of things we have sent to the new administration, things we would like to see change. The administration has already identified infrastructure and tax reform as priorities, and we’re going to focus on that, because the bus industry is very capital-intensive.”

Members did spend some time discussing challenges facing the industry, though. At the forefront of discussion in one trends panel was a driver shortage that has left many coach companies short-staffed and has even forced some tour operators to alter itineraries.

“Our biggest challenge right now is finding drivers,” said Donald DeVivo, president of the DATTCO transportation company in Hartford, Connecticut. “The mindset of millennials and what they want from a career is different. The lifestyle of a motorcoach operator can be exciting and all-consuming, but this new generation has the idea that they should have some life outside of work. It’s a challenge for us to create the job so that it’s attractive to them.”

Coach operators also talked about the technological demands of today’s travelers, which have forced many companies to make significant investments in their buses’ on-board technology.

“We’re finding that people want to watch their own videos on board, instead of watching one together,” said Michael Colborne, president and CEO of Pacific Western Transportation in Canada. “They want to be able to plug in their devices and do full video streaming, which takes a lot of bandwidth.”

“The bus could break down,” DeVivo said in response, “and people wouldn’t care as long as the WiFi is still working.”

PLANNER EDUCATION

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DO THE MATH — GROUPS DELIVER RESULTS

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BY B R I A N J E W E L L

he tale is becoming increasingly common: Tourism sales professionals at convention and visitors bureaus and state travel offices are called in to account for their work before legislators, bureaucrats or higher-ups in their organization who don’t understand the value of the group travel market.

When budgets are tight, tourism organizations often get targeted by political players who would like to see their budgets allocated to other things. And CVB leaders who came up through the ranks of convention sales might question the need for staff members and marketing dollars to go to the tour and travel side of the industry.

These efforts are misguided, though. Group tourism can add an important element of business to any destination, and there are numbers to back that up. In case you or your colleagues need a refresher, here are four of the top reasons for destination marketing organizations to invest in tourism.

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+

GROUP TOURS ARE BIG BUSINESS. A motorcoach group doesn’t make the same splash as a convention that brings hundreds or thousands of people to town, but that doesn’t mean the market segment is small. Quite the opposite: There are hundreds of professional tour companies in the United States, and thousands of group leaders who plan tours for friends, corporations or civic organizations. And though it’s difficult to get an overall picture of the size of the industry, a pair of recent studies give us some

insight. Travel South USA found that group tourism brought 21.7 million room nights to the 12 Southern states in 2014. And the United States Tour Operators Association, which represents about 160 of the biggest tour operator brands in the country, found that this elite group was responsible for 17.5 million room nights and $14.3 billion in revenue in 2015.

% GROUPS TRAVEL OFF PEAK AND OFF SEASON. If your destination is a popular spot for seasonal vacations or draws a lot of Mondaythrough-Friday business travelers, you may find that visitor traffic and hotel occupancy plummets out of season or on the weekends. But groups love to travel when destinations aren’t clogged with vacationing families, and tour operators often seek out weekends and other off-peak travel times to get more favorable room rates. Group tours can bring in visitors at times when you destination needs them most.

GROUPS SPREAD THE WEALTH. More than any other market segment, group travelers are likely to spread their traffic and spending widely throughout your destination.

Many tours try to visit as many attractions around town as possible and are likely to use numerous restaurants around town throughout their visit. Compare that to a convention, during which travelers are more likely to stay in their hotels, eat catered banquet food and miss out on the great activities your destination offers.

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GROUPS FIT ALL TYPES OF PLACES. There are likely factors beyond your control that restrict the meetings business in your city: room inventory that is too low, prices that are too high, associations whose city selections are limited for a variety of reasons. Not so with tour groups. These people love to travel and frequent both big cities and small towns. Even if you don’t think you have a lot of marquee attractions, you can package the unique elements of your city as a mystery tour; these tours are incredibly popular with tour operators and their customers alike.

GROUP T HE

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Changing EXPLORING HAWAII ABOARD PRIDE OF AMERICA

BY B O B H O E L S C H E R

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HORIZONS

n October, a late change of plans allowed me to spend a week cruising our 50th state aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, a ship I’ve wanted to experience for some time.

Happily, there is very good news for all concerned, as the “elephant in the room” had obviously departed some time before I boarded in Honolulu.

To explain, Pride of America, unfortunately, has a reputation for ostensibly having generally poor onboard service, since, as the only large, U.S.-registered cruise vessel in the world, it is required by law to be staffed by a crew that is at least 75 percent American. As such, American men and women are supposedly disinclined to work hard enough and long enough to provide the superior level of service generally expected by cruise guests worldwide.

Several travelers I spoke with on embarkation day even mentioned this concern during our conversations when they found out that I am a cruise writer.

Although this reputation may have been justified at some point in the past and most likely originated when Norwegian was under different ownership over a decade ago, please be assured that any such criticism is no longer valid, so any groups considering a Pride of America sailing will likely be well pleased. If for no other reason, I was impressed by the ship’s supervisory personnel constantly giving their employees guidance and feedback to ensure that guests’ service expectations would be fully met or exceeded.

One of the big advantages of a seven-night Pride of America Hawaii trip, available year-round, is the convenience factor. While no cruise is truly carefree — in this case, one still must fly to Honolulu to get aboard — there is no better way to explore the islands in just over a week without having to pack and unpack, change hotels and endure lengthy airport hassles for brief interisland flights. Since the ship departs from Honolulu on Saturdays, a Friday hotel overnight or a late postcruise return flight will allow adequate time to see the major sights of Oahu.

The cruise itinerary includes two full days in Maui, a day in Hilo and another day at Kailua-Kona on the “Big” Island, plus a day and a half in Kauai before returning to Honolulu. Consequently, since so much time is spent in port rather than at sea,

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except for a delightful afternoon sail along Kauai’s spectacular Na Pali Coast, travel between stops is done at night, so this is not an “average” cruise itinerary. There are also no customs or immigrations procedures, there is no onboard casino — or elsewhere in Hawaii — and the ship’s non-duty-free shops can stay open in port.

Pride of America underwent a major renovation earlier in 2016 and is in tip-top condition. As a comfort-food lover, I found the quality and variety of the food to be so good in the Aloha Café Buffet that by Thursday, it dawned on me that I had not even ventured into one of the main dining rooms, so I dined there that night and in the extra-cost Moderno Churrascaria on Friday.

Both were excellent, although the latter provides far too much food for the average diner, unless one happens to be an NFL lineman.

Despite having been to Hawaii numerous times previously, I took three of the ship’s wide variety of available shore excursions, which ranged from very good (Volcanoes National Park) to outstanding (Kauai’s Allerton and McBryde Gardens). On board, Norwegian’s typical mind-boggling array of activities and entertainment includes, of course, traditional island-centered music and shows.

To sum up, although not exactly inexpensive — nor are land-based resort vacations here — unless a group has substantially more time and money to spend, it’s unlikely to find a more convenient and enjoyable way to experience the best that the Aloha State has to offer.

HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, MAUI

Photos by Bob Hoelscher

PU’UHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, ISLAND OF HAWAII

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Five Live

TO S E E

by BRIAN JEWELL

Courtesy Louisville CVB

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FEBRUARY 2017

TOP: LOUISVILLE’S MERCURY BALLROOM IS A HOTSPOT FOR REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT. BOTTOM: THE HONKY TONKS ON BROADWAY ARE DEFINING FIXTURES OF NASHVILLE’S LIVE MUSIC SCENE. Courtesy Nashville CVC

THESE CITIES ARE A BUCKET LIST FOR MUSIC BUFFS

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very night, the sounds of America emanate from basements, bars, theaters and stages across the country.

Live performance is the purest form of musical entertainment, and hearing live, local music is one of the best ways for travelers to get to know the souls of the places they’re visiting. In some cities, finding great live music is as easy as strolling the streets of the local entertainment district and following the sounds.

Check out the live music districts the next time your group travels to one of these cities.

BRICKTOWN IS THE CENTRAL ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

clubs lining both sides of Broadway for several blocks, and they all offer free live music from about 11 in the morning until 3 at night every day of the year. The bands play for tips and usually perform a mix of classical and new country tunes, but it’s not uncommon to hear rock, pop or hip-hop songs at these venues as well.

“These musicians come from all over the place, and they’re hoping that there’s a record executive in the audience that is going to discover them,” Bennett said. “So you’re going to hear really good, quality live music. A lot of them have been paying their dues in Nashville for a decade or more. You never know if you’ll see someone there that will turn out to be the next big name in country music.”

Some of the honky-tonks are small venues and can get quite full late at night or on the weekend, so Bennett suggests that groups plan their Broadway experiences for late afternoon or early evening. In addition to the honky-tonks, there are lots of restaurants and shops in the area, making Broadway an ideal place to turn group travelers loose to pursue whatever excites them most.

For groups that want to stick together for their music experiences, venues such as Honky Tonk Central and the Whiskey Bent Saloon offer VIP private seating so everyone can enjoy the music together.

— W W W.V ISI T MUSICCI T Y.COM —

Photos courtesy Oklahoma City CVB

NASHVILLE , TENNESSEE It’s difficult to talk about live music in America without talking about Nashville, which bills itself as Music City USA. Nashville has a deep-running heritage as the capital of country music, but today its repertoire includes nearly every style of music imaginable.

“We have over 150 live music venues all over the city, and you can find any genre of music on any given night of the week,” said Laurel Bennett, vice president of group sales for the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation. “There isn’t a pocket of the city that doesn’t have a live music venue. We have a live music app for visitors and live music signage outside all the venues that offer live music three days a week or more.”

Though music pervades the city, the classic Nashville experience calls for visiting the honky-tonks on Broadway downtown. There are dozens of these

KANSAS CIT Y, MISSOURI If you travel with a lot of jazz lovers, sooner or later they will want to visit Kansas City, birthplace of Charlie Parker and the bebop jazz style.

“Back in the day when jazz was superpopular, Kansas City was on the map,” said Tony Alexander, communications manager at Visit KC. “Everybody who was anybody played in Kansas City. Ella Fitzgerald, Louie Armstrong and Duke Ellington spent a lot of time in Kansas City, and the list goes on and on.”

That history is in large part why the American Jazz Museum was established in Kansas City. The museum sits in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District, where numerous venues still offer live jazz performances.

The Blue Room is the house venue at the museum, but groups can also catch performances at clubs such as the Phoenix and the Majestic.

Music fans looking for an after-hours, behind-thescenes experience can even plan to visit a jam session at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, which offers

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live music only on Friday nights between 1 and 6 a.m.

“It started as a black musicians union,” Alexander said. “Back in the ’20s and ’30s, they would play their gigs at normal hours; then they would go to their union and play with their friends. You never know who is going to show up there. They’re actually celebrating their 100th anniversary this year.”

Jazz is only part of the music scene in Kansas City, though. There are some 40 live music venues around town, many grouped in other neighborhoods throughout the city. The Crossroads district, located a short streetcar ride from downtown, has a number of clubs, including Crossroads KC, a popular outdoor venue.

Others are the Tank Room, the Green Lady Lounge and the Folly, which hosts a recurring jazz concert series.

— W W W.V ISI TKC .COM —

LOUISVILLE , KENTUCKY Louisville, Kentucky, features a variety of live music venues clustered in different neighborhoods around the city.

“Our music scene is really cool — we have some great local bands that have made it pretty big, like My

Morning Jacket,” said Jessica Dillree, marketing communications manager at the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau. “And there’s a great community of musicians around here, too.”

The downtown area, known locally as SoFo, is home to the Louisville Palace, perhaps the city’s most iconic performance space.

“It’s a really ornate Art Deco theater, very elaborately decorated,” Dillree said. “There are relief sculptures of faces all over the ceiling in the lobby. Inside, the ceiling is painted like the sky, so you feel like you’re in an outdoor amphitheater. It hosts national touring acts, but it’s not very large. It has a very intimate feeling.”

On the same block is the Brown Theatre, another small, intimate venue. And next door is the Mercury Ballroom, which hosts both up-and-coming touring acts and some of the funky local groups making a mark on the Louisville music scene.

Another neighborhood, nicknamed NuLu, has smaller venues and clubs that feature inventive live music from local artists. Haymarket Whiskey Bar is a site on the city’s Urban Bourbon Trail as well as a popular music venue. The cellar lounge at Decca plays host to live jazz most nights of the week, including a jazz series that sometimes features performances by the city’s orchestra conductor.

“We also have a pretty burgeoning hip-hop scene right now,” Dillree said. “One of the guys who is pretty young has collaborated with the orchestra and the conductor. They have created a mashup of different styles called the Louisville Concerto. It’s hiphop mixed with folksy music.”

— W W W.GOTOLOUISV ILLE.COM —

SAN ANTONIO Many visitors automatically picture the Riverwalk when they think of San Antonio, but there’s much more to this city than its central tourist district. A case in point is the pocket neighborhoods known for their variety of live music.

“The largest concentration of live music venues is on North St. Marys Street,” said Debbie RaccaSittre, director of arts and culture for the city of San Antonio. “There are about 10 venues there. It is focused

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Artwork by David Brown

on indie music and up-and-coming bands, but there are also a couple of places that bring in more national bands.”

The Pearl area near downtown is a former beer brewery complex that has been reimagined as an entertainment, shopping and dining district. Several venues at Pearl offer live jazz, and Sam’s Burger Joint features both live local jazz and concerts from touring artists.

San Antonio has a number of famous festivals and events in various parts of town, and many feature lots of live music. The La Villita neighborhood, a historic area near the Riverwalk, hosts the Maverick Music Festival in April, as well as the many musical performances that are part of Fiesta, San Antonio’s celebration of all things Hispanic. The Dia de Los Muertos festival, which takes place in La Villita the day before Halloween, features music at multiple stages in the neighborhood plaza and local theaters.

— W W W.V ISI T S A NA N T ON IO.COM —

OKLAHOMA CIT Y Oklahoma City has garnered a lot of attention in the past decade or so for its Bricktown entertainment

district. This downtown neighborhood, once a blighted industrial area, has been revitalized and turned into a world-class entertainment destination, complete with dining, shopping, a canal and live music.

Bricktown doesn’t have a row of bars offering live music like some other cities. Instead, it delivers music experiences in a variety of ways.

“Bricktown is home to our Academy of Contemporary Music,” said Tabbi Burwell, communications manager for the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“They have live music performances there on the weekends that are open to the public.”

Another Bricktown attraction, the American Banjo Museum, gives visitors a fascinating look at one of America’s most iconic instruments and musical genres.

Groups that tour the museum can arrange to have live banjo performances during their visits there.

Right across the street from the museum is the Criterion, a live music venue that can accommodate up to 4,000 people and that frequently hosts concerts by regional and national performing artists.

— W W W.V ISI T OKC .COM —

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NEW YORK

STATE SPOTLIGHT

WAT E R T O W N L AKE GEORGE

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BY B R I A N J E W E L L

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f you have ever wanted to spend a weekend in New York, there are plenty of ways to make it memorable.

Manhattan and the other boroughs of New York

City might get most of the pop culture attention, but the Empire State is brimming with beautiful natural

destinations that offer idyllic retreats perfect for a weekend getaway.

Long Island’s North Fork is peaceful and picturesque, and the

Catskill Mountains are a favorite destination for skiing and outdoor

adventure. And travelers will find waterfront fun, fascinating history and a wealth of local food and wine in other favorite New York destinations such as the Finger Lakes, the Adirondacks and the 1,000 Islands.

Whether you need a quick respite from life in a big East Coast city or want to incorporate a relaxing weekend into a longer tour of the Northeast, make the most of 48 hours in any one of these

New York jewels.

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Courtesy www.greatnortherncatskills.com

Courtesy Discover Long Island

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GREENPORT AND LONG ISLAND Many people know Long Island as a Manhattan suburb, but there’s much more to this area than just bedroom communities.

Long Island’s farmland is known as some of the most fertile in the country, and groups that take the time to visit the smaller communities on the island will discover a peace and charm that’s a great antidote to the stress of the big city.

The North Fork of Long Island is known for its vineyards, and the Long Island Wine Council coordinates Friday evening events at vineyards such as Bedell Cellars and Sannino Bella Vita. The next day, spend time strolling scenic Greenport, a beach village with a small historic district, a public marina, farm-to-table restaurants and frequent live music. The final day, take a ferry to Shelter Island, where the Mashomack Nature Preserve offers miles of coastline and forest trails.

Groups can also enjoy shopping at many of the small boutiques and antique shops in the villages of the North Fork.

HUNTER AND THE CATSKILLS About 50 miles south of Albany, the town of Hunter lies in the beautiful Catskill Mountains. A weekend trip to this area offers groups a combination of great outdoor fun, exciting food and resort relaxation.

A convenient base for the weekend is the Kaatskill Mountain Club, a resort and spa that focuses on natural experiences. From May through October, a highlight of the trip will be the Hunter Mountain Skyride the Kaatskill Flyer, a chairlift that takes riders up 3,200 feet above sea level to take in the beauty of the Catskills from above.

Groups have plenty of other options in the area as well. Active and adventurous travelers can opt for a treetop adventure on a zipline tour of Hunter Mountain, or they can go horseback riding on the trails at Bear Creek Landing. For a more laid-back experience, Hunter Mountain Brewery offers food and locally made pilsners, lagers and pale ale.

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CANANDAIGUA AND THE FINGER LAKES Just south of the stretch of Interstate 90 that connects Syracuse and Rochester, 11 long, narrow bodies of water are the hallmarks of the Finger Lakes region. This hot spot of regional food and agriculture has more than 75 craft breweries and 200 wineries, not to mention abundant natural beauty.

Canandaigua, which sits at the north end of the 19-mile-long Lake Canandaigua, serves as a great headquarters for groups visiting the area. After a day of touring wineries, groups often end with a cooking demonstration or a five-star meal at the New York Wine and Culinary Center, where chefs can lead classes for groups of up 30 people that highlight produce and wine from Lake Canandaigua and beyond.

There are plenty of cultural highlights in the Finger Lakes as well, among them the Seneca Art and Culture Center at Ganondagan State Historic Site, which honors the area’s native people, and the world-class Corning Museum of Glass.

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By Brian Jewell

3 BROADWAY IN THE FINGER LAKES 2017 SEASON:

JUNE 7 OCT. 7

LAKE GEORGE AND THE ADIRONDACKS The Adirondack Mountains are the geological highlight of northeast New York, and Lake George has become the vacation hub of this upstate destination. Groups spending a weekend in the area can choose between upbeat, fun-filled activities or leisurely days of experiencing the area’s wine, beer and shopping.

There is plentiful boating, hiking and other outdoor activity available in Lake George and the surrounding mountains. Groups often enjoy taking scenic cruises offered by the Lake George Steamboat Company. Adventure attractions, such as the Adirondack Extreme Adventure course, prove popular with student and youth groups.

A relaxing adult trip to the Adirondacks can include plenty of great local shopping, as well as tastes of wine and beer crafted in Lake George. Shoppers will find eclectic gift shops such as local favorite Live, Love, Laugh, as well as outlets and the Forest Hill Trading Company.

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“GUYS AND DOLLS” “PARADE” “THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS” “GHOST THE MUSICAL” “ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE”

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Courtesy Lake George CVB

WATERTOWN AND THE 1,000 ISLANDS At the western edge of northern New York, near the shores of Lake Ontario, Watertown is the gateway to a beautiful area known as the 1,000 Islands. This popular destination comprises towns and islands located in New York as well as southeast Ontario, making the 1,000 Islands an unusual international tourism area.

Groups that visit the 1,000 Islands can explore scenic areas and historic sites on both sides of the border — provided travelers remember to bring their passports. Several companies offer water taxi rides, ferry service and sightseeing cruises on Lake Ontario.

Nature trails, preserves and other private and public areas provide additional opportunities for observing the area’s flora and fauna.

Historic sites in Watertown and the 1,000 Islands tell numerous stories from the area’s past. Travelers can see sites where fighting took place during the War of 1812, visit the Rock Island Lighthouse and Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, and visit enormous private island mansions in the area created by barons of the Gilded Age. W W W.V I S IT10 0 0 I S L A N D S.C O M

Courtesy 1,000 Islands Visitor Council

5 Give Your Group the Ultimate New York Experience!

Tickets Start at $39 for Groups of 20 or More *Offer valid on select seats and performances.

June 30 – August 17

CALL: 212-465-6080 • EMAIL: Group.Sales@msg.com • VISIT: rockettes.com/groupsny *Valid only on purchases of twenty (20) or more by groups as indicated above. Full payment required within four (4) weeks after booking tickets. Offer not valid on previously purchased tickets and cannot be combined with any other offer. All sales are final – no refunds or exchanges. Service charges apply to internet orders. A $25 shipping and handling fee will be applied to all orders requesting ticket delivery. There is no charge for tickets being held at the Radio City Music Hall Box Office. Offer may be revoked or modified at any time without notice and is subject to availability. Other restrictions may apply. Offer expires 8/17/17. Accessible and companion seats are available via the Disabled Services Department at 212-465-6115. ©2016 MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved.

& PINTS

By Doug Walker Photography, courtesy Olympia VCB

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LIFE’S A BREEZE ACROSS

WAS H I NG T O N’S PUG E T SOU ND

BY B R I A N J E W E L L

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he Pacific Northwest occupies a singular place in our collective imagination, and for good reason: The evergreen forests, towering mountains, quaint waterfronts and distinctive culture make the region a unique part of the American landscape. These elements are on full display in the Puget Sound region of northwest Washington.

Whether you explore the iconic sights, sounds and flavors of Seattle; take in the national parks around Olympia; immerse yourself in the maritime history of Gig Harbor; or take a wildlife-watching expedition in the San Juan Islands, a trip to Washington promises to deliver experiences that fulfill your expectations for the beautiful, one-ofa-kind Northwest.

TUMWATER FALLS PARK IS A FAVORITE SPOT FOR PHOTOS NEAR OLYMPIA.

OLY MPIA : PICTURESQUE PARKS AND BOUNTIFUL BY WAYS Situated at the southern tip of Puget Sound, Olympia serves as northwest Washington’s hub of outdoor exploration. But groups should also take some time to explore the area’s rich history, agricultural heritage and growing beer scene.

First things first, though: Olympia is ideally situated at the midpoint of two of the region’s most scenic national parks.

“We are so close to Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park,” said Jeff Rowe, director of sales at the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitors and Convention Bureau. “A lot of our tour groups use Olympia as a home base, then do huband-spoke tours to those parks. Olympic National Park is about an hour-and-a-half drive, and that takes you through a beautiful national rain forest.

Mount Rainier National Park is about a two-hour drive. There, people can go up to the visitors center at Paradise Lodge, which can also be the starting point for a number of terrific hikes.”

Within Olympia itself, a number of museums and attractions will give groups a feel for the area’s history. The Olympic Flight Museum features a collection of vintage aircraft that range from World War II to the Vietnam era. The museum is located at the airport right next to Glacier Aviation, which offers helicopter tours of the surrounding area.

Another popular stop is the Schmidt House, a historic mansion built by one of the first families to brew beer in Olympia using water from nearby sources. Groups touring the home will learn about the family, their iconic Olympia Beer and the history of brewing in the area.

Beer isn’t just history in Olympia, though.

Microbreweries have been popping up around town, offering modern twists on a regional tradition.

“Fish Tail Ale has a beer that was voted best beer in the world last year by the World Beer Council,” Rowe said. “They offer a brewery tour, where they talk about the process of collecting hops from eastern Washington, brewing the beer here and distributing it. They also give some of the byproducts back to local farmers to help them feed their animals. The farms sell them cheese at reduced prices, and they sell that cheese in their restaurant.”

Breweries, as well as some area organic farms,

Artwork by David Brown

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STARBUCKS RESERVE ROASTERY

Courtesy Starbucks Reserve Roastery

ix years ago, I attended a medical conference in Seattle with my husband.

After the meeting was over, we jumped on a seaplane to Friday Harbor for a couple of days. I felt very adventurous in taking the seaplane instead of the ferry and was rewarded with amazing views of the San Juan Islands and Mount Rainier.

We stayed at the Friday Harbor House Hotel and enjoyed walking into town to enjoy shopping, dining and the marina. The city also has a shuttle service that will take you all over the island, including a stop at a lavender farm. We booked a whale-watching charter and saw a pod of whales, bald eagles, sea lions and seals.

It was nature at its best.

The last night we sat outside on our hotel patio enjoying the sunset over the marina, and I remember saying to my husband, “I wish every day was like today.”

— STACEY BOWMAN

AN OLYMPIA BREWERY

INSPECTING BEER INGREDIENTS AT OLYMPIA’S FISH BREWING CO.

Courtesy Olympia VCB

By Ingrid Barrentine, courtesy Olympia VCB

PIKE PLACE MARKET IN SEATTLE

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Courtesy Visit Seattle

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are featured in Olympia’s Bountiful Byway tour program, which gives group travelers opportunities to meet farmers and learn about the work they do.

Highlights include picking lavender and shopping for gifts at a local lavender farm, as well as Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm, where groups can learn about cider production and sample the farm kitchen’s signature apple fritters.

GIG HARBOR: WATERFRONT AND MARITIME HISTORY About 40 miles north of Olympia, the town of Gig Harbor offers a scenic waterfront with large helpings of charm and maritime history.

“We have a small, quaint, historic downtown with maritime heritage that’s very evident as you walk along the waterfront,” said Karen Scott, director of tourism and communications for the city of Gig Harbor. “We’re sheltered by a bay that is pretty scenic and has spectacular views of Mount Rainier through the head of the harbor.”

Many groups start their time in the area at the Harbor History Museum, which is right on the water. The museum features exhibits that trace Gig Harbor’s past, with a focus on maritime history. One of the chief highlights is a historic fishing vessel that volunteers are working to restore. Visitors can watch the restoration work on the large ship and talk with volunteers about their maritime memories.

Maritime enthusiasts will find more to enjoy at the Gig Harbor Boat Shop, a nonprofit organization that promotes the history and art of wooden boatbuilding. Groups can take part in special boatbuilding experiences there.

And Harbor WildWatch, an environmental organization, teaches visitors about the marine wildlife living in Gig Harbor, with diving demonstrations and other experiences that give guests close-up looks at sea creatures.

Groups can take narrated sightseeing cruises offered by a number of companies in Gig Harbor, during which they’ll learn about the city’s commercial fishing past and see some of the “net sheds” that are leftovers of that tradition.

“Net sheds are what the commercial fishermen used to store their nets,” Scott said. “We still have the largest inventory of net sheds on the Puget Sound.”

SEAT TLE: CIT Y OF IC ONS At the center of the Puget Sound tourism scene is Seattle, a city packed with Pacific Northwest icons. Groups should take two or three days to explore the highlights of this city, which range from art and music to architecture, coffee, shopping and more.

The best place to start is Seattle Center, an area in the heart of the city that hosted the 1962 World’s Fair. The Space Needle there offers fantastic views and upgraded, interactive digital experiences. But recently, visitors can’t

Artwork by David Brown

Courtesy KEXP/Visit Seattle

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usic factors into Seattle’s cultural scene in a big way. The city made a name for itself with the grunge and alternative music movements of the late 1980s and early 1990s, with bands such as Pearl Jam and Nirvana getting their start in Seattle clubs.

There are still plenty of places for visitors to catch live local music in Seattle, including some of the venues where those artists once played.

But for groups, a radio station based in Seattle Center offers great opportunities to get a taste for Seattle’s eclectic music culture.

“The radio station KEXP is widely listened to by locals — it’s really a music station for the people, by the people,” said Visit Seattle’s John Boesche.

“They just moved their studios into Seattle Center in a really neat, interactive area that is open for folks to check out. They do a lot of live shows and have artists on all the time.”

In addition to watching a live radio broadcast, visitors can relax in the studio’s cafe, where local coffee purveyors roast beans and provide signature drinks for visitors.

“It just feels like Seattle,” Boesche said. “You’re sitting there having fancy coffee and listening to a grass-roots radio station broadcast indie music.”

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SUNSET AT GIG HARBOR

By Blakely Photography, courtesy City of Gig Harbor

AN ORCA SPOTTING NEAR THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS

By Jim Maya, courtesy San Juan Islands VB

THE SPACE NEEDLE AT SEATTLE CENTER

Courtesy Visit Seattle

SAN JUAN ISLANDS: WATER AND WILDLIFE It’s a bit of a hike north from Seattle to the San Juan Islands, which sit about 100 miles away at the mouth of Puget Sound. But the trip pays off in big ways, with water, wildlife and a taste of laid-back island culture Pacific Northwest style.

“We’re most known for our watchable wildlife,” said Barbara Marrett, communications manager for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau. “We have resident orca whales that come in the summer, from April through September.

Humpback whales and minke whales are here for a good

SEA LIONS AT CATTLE POINT IN THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS Courtesy San Juan Islands VB

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stop raving about Chihuly Garden and Glass, a newcomer to the Seattle Center that celebrates the artwork of Seattle son and famous glassblower Dale Chihuly.

“Chihuly Garden and Glass has quickly become the No. 1 attraction in Seattle on Trip Advisor,” said John Boesche, director of tourism development for Visit Seattle.

“It’s literally right next door to the Space Needle, about a 150-foot walk, and you can get packaged tickets for the two attractions.”

Another highlight of the Seattle Center is MoPOP, formerly known as the Experience Music Project, or the EMP Museum. The museum has been expanded beyond its initial music focus to now explore various elements of pop culture, with exhibits exploring such diverse subjects as the cultural significance of Lego toys and the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. But music still factors prominently into the experience.

“They have one of the world’s largest high-definition screens in what they call the Sky Church,” Boesche said.

“They play music videos there and let people dance and have fun. They also have sound labs where you can learn how to play the guitar and the drums.”

Many groups also make time to visit Pike Place Market, one of the country’s largest and oldest working farmers markets. Visitors can browse food and goods from some 250 permanent vendors and 150 day stalls, and rub elbows with chefs who shop at the market each day to pick items for their restaurant menus. The market is undergoing an expansion that will add a brewery and more retail space.

Starbucks Coffee, the worldwide caffeine phenomenon, got its start at Pike Place Market, and travelers can still get a drink at the original Starbucks Café there. Coffee lovers will also enjoy a visit to the nearby Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room, which opened eight blocks away in 2014.

“This is a massive facility where Starbucks roasts and distributes all of their reserve coffee for distribution all over the world,” Boesche said. “It’s a really neat experience. You can do tasting flights and try different coffee preparations.”

AN EXCURSION WITH SAN JUAN CLASSIC DAY SAILING

portion of the year. Seals are here year-round, and we have more nesting pairs of bald eagles than any other county in the lower 48 states.”

Many active visitors to the islands choose to explore the area via sea kayak, and outfitters can take groups out on guided paddles, as well to see local wildlife and the 1919 Lime Kiln Lighthouse. Sightseeing cruise companies offer more relaxed ways to see the whales and other highlights of the islands.

After time out on the water, many visitors are pleasantly surprised to discover the art culture on the islands.

“We’re a mecca for the arts,” Marrett said. “We have a very new, very contemporary San Juan Islands Museum of Art in Friday Harbor. We also have a 20-acre sculpture park, which is one of the largest in the world and has more than 125 sculptures.”

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Courtesy San Juan Islands VB

Photo credit: Bruno Vega

With more than 2.5 million travelers visiting Peru’s 11 World Heritage Sites each year, it comes as no surprise that the country’s $168 million annual tourism revenue is on the rise.

That’s why in 2011, Tourism Cares selected Peru for a sustainable tourism initiative that engaged peers from both the North American and Peruvian tourism industries to make an impact through volunteering and distributing $80,000 in grant funding.

THIS LLAMA IS VALUED AT $168 MILLION.

Join a growing roster of industry-leading companies committed to preserving the places we love and depend on.

Visit TourismCares.org to see how your company can help make global sustainable tourism a reality.

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MISSISSIPPI IN THE DELTA, HARD TIMES MEAN GREAT MUSIC

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Courtesy Tunica CVB

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he Mississippi Delta is no stranger to hardship. The northwest region of the state between the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers has endured times of economic stagnation over the years. Yet instead of fading into history unnoticed, the area inspired soul-stirring songs that stand among America’s greatest music contributions.

From Muddy Waters’ childhood as a sharecropper, B.B. King’s grueling job in a cotton gin and other unlikely sources came a new sound that the American public soon embraced: the blues. The revitalized Delta celebrates the many blues and jazz musicians who grew up in the area along Highway 61, the Blues Highway. Among the numerous stops on the 250-mile route are some acclaimed and interactive museums that will leave groups bobbing their heads to the beat.

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MUSICIANS HONOR MISSISSIPPI’S MUSIC HERITAGE WITH A PERFORMANCE AT TUNICA’S GATEWAY TO THE BLUES MUSEUM AND VISITORS CENTER.

B.B. KING MUSEUM AND D E LTA I N T E R P R E T I V E C E N T E R

Indianola Tragedy struck King often during his early life as a sharecropper and tractor driver. He channeled his heartache into a new style of blues, which the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center examines.

The 2008 museum sits inside a restored brick cotton-gin building where King worked in the 1940s. Extensive artifacts from his life reveal how he rose to fame and the challenges he encountered along the way.

Interactive computers and videos tell his compelling story, including when he damaged a tractor at work, which prompted him to flee with his guitar and head to Memphis, Tennessee. Visitors can listen to King narrate some firsthand accounts of his life and mission to make it onto the airwaves.

After his death in 2015, King was buried at the museum in a planned memorial garden that guests can visit. The museum doesn’t just highlight King; it delves into the entire region and its influential music legends.

Groups can learn about the “King of Blues” at the museum before listening to a live blues performance with a catered lunch at nearby Club Ebony.

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G AT E WAY TO T H E B LU E S M US EU M & V I S ITO RS C E N T E R

Tunica Guests can start by exploring the definition of blues music and end by producing their own blues song at the Gateway to the Blues Museum.

Located in an 1895 train depot, the museum and visitors center welcome groups to one of the first major stops along the Blues Highway in Mississippi.

The 3,500-square-foot museum explores the musical heritage of the Mississippi Delta, especially Tunica’s contribution. Groups follow a series of interactive exhibits that begin with an introduction to the blues genre.

Artifacts such as W.C. Handy’s first cornet, George Hunt paintings of the Delta and over 20 guitars used by famous musicians bring the area’s blues legends to life. The museum invites hands-on learning with an exhibit on how to play a lap steel guitar and songwriting lessons from local blues artist. Each guest can record his or her own blues song with an opportunity to take their musical creation home with them.

Afterward, visitors stop by the gift shop for authentic Delta specialty items, such as Delta Blues Pecan Oil made in Tutwiler, Mississippi.

W W W.T U N IC AT R AV EL .COM

GATEWAY TO THE BLUES MUSEUM AND VISITORS CENTER Courtesy Tunica CVB

D E LTA B L U E S M U S E U M

Clarksdale Groups can stand face-to-face with the sharply dressed figure of Muddy Waters at the Delta Blues Museum. Located at the “crossroads” of highways 61 and 49, the museum focuses on the artists raised in and around Clarksdale, such as Waters, John Lee Hooker and Handy.

Clarksdale became an economic boomtown because of its important transportation location, which is why many entertainment joints opened in the town, allowing the local talent to attract a wider audience. Many contemporary blues venues still sit within walking distance of the museum, including the adjacent Ground Zero Blues Club, owned by Morgan Freeman.

After its start as one room of exhibits in an elementary school, the museum moved to a 1926 train depot in 1999.

In 2012, the museum expanded to add a Muddy Waters wing where a life-size wax figure of the singer stands next to the reconstructed shack on Stovall Plantation in which he grew up. Inside the sharecropper cabin, videos illuminate Waters’ life, and there are artifacts such as ZZ Top’s Muddywood guitar, which was crafted from one of the cabin’s timbers.

Either separately or in a guided tour, groups can explore exhibits on legendary blues singers.

The museum also offers educational programs teaching how to play various musical instruments.

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B.B. KING MUSEUM DELTA BLUES MUSEUM Courtesy MS Tourism

Courtesy MS Tourism

GRAMMY MUSEUM MISSISSIPPI

By Rory Doyle, courtesy Grammy Museum MS

GRAMMY MUSEUM MISSISSIPPI

Cleveland A small town in the Mississippi Delta seems an unlikely spot to highlight the over-the-top glamour of the Grammys. However, officials chose Cleveland, Mississippi, as the sister location to Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum because of the region’s rich musical heritage.

Instead of focusing only on the humble beginnings of blues musicians, the Grammy Museum Mississippi showcases the glitzy side of the music industry. One exhibit uses clothing worn on previous Grammy red carpets to illustrate the award show’s dazzling effect.

The museum, opened in 2016, uses touch screens and other interactive exhibits to reveal a behind-the-scenes peek into the Grammy awards ceremony and artists it has honored over the years.

Videos of past Grammy telecasts, song-producing pods and an audiovisual scrolling guide to past recipients keep visitors engaged.

At one exhibit, guests can bust out their best moves on an interactive dance floor that teaches dance styles popular throughout the ceremony’s history. The museum also features a Mississippi section to explore the numerous Grammy winners born in the state.

Groups can choose from several curated tours for insider information on the exhibits and acquisition of various artifacts. The museum also offers a series of programs throughout the year that spotlight various musicians, with intimate performances and discussions.

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DETAILING THE DAKOTAS FALLS PARK IS AN IMPRESSIVE SITE FOR GROUPS VISITING SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA.

Courtesy Sioux Falls CVB

BY AS H L E Y R I C KS THE DAKOTAS HAVE LONG BEEN KNOWN FOR THEIR FAR-

REACHING HISTORY, ROOTED IN THE STORIES OF THEIR NATIVE

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL CRAZY HORSE, SOUTH DAKOTA

CULTURES, AND THE WESTWARD SETTLERS WHO MADE THIS RUGGED LANDSCAPE THEIR HOME. GROUPS WILL ENJOY

VISITING THE MANY ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORIC SITES

FEATURING THE AREA’S HERITAGE, AS WELL AS HEARING THE STORIES OF FAMOUS FIGURES LIKE SACAGAWEA AND COL.

GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER OR THE MODERN SCULPTORS GUTZON BORGLUM AND KORCZAK ZIOLKOWSKI. THESE SIX SITES ARE ICONIC DESTINATIONS THAT DRAW GROUPS FROM ACROSS THE CONTINENT WITH THEIR RICH

HISTORY. WITH THREE TOP ATTRACTIONS EACH IN NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA, YOUR GROUP WILL HAVE

PLENTY OF OPTIONS TO ENJOY.

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he Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota is on pace to be the largest rock sculpture in the world. Reaching 641 feet long and 563 feet high, the monument is already an impressive site, despite still being under construction. Groups visiting the memorial will be in awe at the size of the carving and the story of Korczak Ziolkowski and his family, who worked to make the project a reality.

Groups can take part in the Volksmarch, an organized 10-kilometer hike up the mountain sculpture that has now become the most popular organized hike in the United States. In 2017, the spring event will be the first weekend in June, and the fall date will correspond with the weekend of the Custer State Park Buffalo Round-Up, scheduled for October 1.

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TODAY, MOUNT RUSHMORE IS KNOWN AS A WORLD-CLASS ATTRACTION DRAWING GROUPS FROM ACROSS THE U.S. AND ABROAD. Courtesy NPS

Another popular time to visit the monument is for the two night blasts held each year in honor of Korczak and his wife, Ruth, who began the project with Chief Standing Bear. For each night blast, fireballs and pyrotechnics spectacularly light the monument and a ceremonial blast is detonated on the sculpture. The first night blast of 2017 will take place June 26, and the second will be September 6. Groups visiting during the summer season can also see the nightly light displays on the mountain.

WWW.CRAZYHORSEMEMORIAL.ORG

MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL KEYSTONE, SOUTH DAKOTA hat began as a project to honor local Western heroes has since become an international attraction in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial honors four notable U.S. presidents carved onto the granite cliff face.

Groups should make sure to stop in at the Sculptor’s Studio near the base of the Presidential Trail. Here groups can see the space where Borglum planned and led the work on the monument for the duration of the project. Among the notable items on display are the models and tools Borglum used.

During the summer, groups can enjoy the many ranger talks offered about the history of the site or stop in at the Lakota, Nakota and Dakota Heritage Village to learn more about the tribes and their histories in the Black Hills.

Groups will not want to miss the Evening Lighting Program, which offers views of the sculpture as it is highlighted against the night sky. The Needles Highway is also popular with groups for its stunning views created by the road’s twists and turns through the mountains around Mount Rushmore.

Groups interested in including Mount Rushmore in their Black Hills itineraries will find Rapid City to be a great home base for exploring. Rapid City is close to Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial and many of the other popular attractions of the Black Hills.

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FALLS PARK SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA he waterfalls on the Big Sioux River were a destination for native tribes for many years before they became the heart of a new city, Sioux Falls, when investors sought to built a hydroelectric plant and flour mill in 1856. The milling enterprise has long since shut down, but the falls have endured as a popular location for the townspeople and visitors alike.

“The falls may not be the geographical center of Sioux Falls, since they’re located on the edge of downtown, but it is really the heart of the city,” said Krista Orsack, director of marketing for Visit Sioux Falls.

“The park is also a prime location for a number of outdoor events that take place in Sioux Falls,” Orsack said. Events are held at the park throughout the year, among them the popular Festival of Cultures, Germanfest and the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. Winter, however, is when the park really comes to life. The annual Winter Wonderland celebration is a major event. From the Friday before Thanksgiving through the first weekend of January, the park is lit with more than 350,000 lights, and about 270 trees are decorated. The falls are also lit with color-changing lights for a special viewing experience.

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KNIFE RIVER INDIAN VILLAGES STANTON, NORTH DAKOTA he Knife River Indian Villages is a historic site that preserves three villages that made up the well-known center of trade at the time of the Louisiana Purchase and were home to Sacagawea and her people. The national park site is in present-day Stanton, North Dakota.

Groups visiting the site can walk along the trails to the remains of the three villages or stay close to the visitors center, where they can see a reconstructed earth lodge. There is also a museum featuring the many artifacts excavated at the site and a Hidatsa-style garden where groups can learn about how people lived at the site.

Events at the park this year include a guided photography hike led by local photographers in May. In June, there will be a special flint-knapping event where “anyone from novice to experts can learn traditional and modern flint-knapping techniques from the teachers,” said Alisha Deegan, chief of interpretation at the

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park. Rangers also give guided talks on the trails during warmer months or crosscountry skiing tours during the winter.

Groups may also be interested in visiting nearby Fort Mandan, home of the Corps of Discovery during their stay in the area over the winter of 1804-1805.

The site is home to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the reconstructed Fort Mandan.

THE RECONSTRUCTED EARTH LODGE AT KNIFE RIVER INDIAN VILLAGES

EARTH LODGE, EXTERIOR

WWW.NPS.GOV/KNRI

Courtesy NPS THE COMMANDING OFFICERS HOUSE

THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK MEDORA, NORTH DAKOTA heodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota includes sites tied to the nation’s 26th president while he lived in Dakota Territory. His time in the Dakotas helped to shape his strong conservationist views, so it’s no surprise that the national park abounds with alluring, expansive landscapes and a bevy of wildlife.

The park is divided into three units — the South, the Elkhorn and the North units — each with its own points of interest. The South is the main entrance to the park and includes the Maltese Cross Cabin, Roosevelt’s first home in the area, next to the visitors center and museum. This area also boasts the Painted Canyon, known for its colorful vistas.

The Elkhorn Ranch, where Roosevelt spent most of his time during his stay, is in the Elkhorn Unit, but only the home’s foundations remain, and access is limited to high-profile vehicles. The North Unit includes a 14-mile scenic drive that leads to Oxbow Overlook and many hiking trails that give ample opportunity to explore the park’s scenery. The hiking trails range from plenty of short, easy walks to strenuous trails for hard-core hikers.

Groups may enjoy pairing a trip to the park and its historic sites with seeing “Medora the Musical,” which tells the story of Theodore Roosevelt and the time he spent in the Dakota Territory.

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HORSEBACK RIDING IS A POPULAR ACTIVITY WITH GROUPS VISITING THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK IN NORTH DAKOTA.

By Alexandria Shankweile, Courtesy NPS

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Courtesy NPS

Courtesy Bismarck-Mandan CVB

VIEW OF THE CRAZY HORSE MONUMENT

Courtesy Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation

FORT ABRAHAM LINCOLN STATE PARK MANDAN, NORTH DAKOTA ort Abraham Lincoln was once an important military outpost in the Dakota Territory and was home to the Mandan tribe before it moved north to join the Hidatsa living near the Missouri and Knife rivers.

One of the most popular things to see at the park is the reconstructed home of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his wife, Libbie. Custer was the first commander of the fort and served there from its beginnings until his death in the Battle of Little Big Horn. In addition to the commanding officer’s house, groups can tour the various reconstructed buildings of the Cavalry Post and the ruins of On-A-Slant Village, overlooking the river. The Little Soldier Loop Trail provides excellent views of the village ruins and overlooks the Missouri and Heart rivers and the city of Bismarck.

Groups with ample time may enjoy pairing a visit to North Dakota’s Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park with a stop in Custer, South Dakota, — the site where the 7th Cavalry discovered gold in the Black Hills and began the gold rush — and nearby Custer State Park. Although these sites are separated by a six-hour drive, learning the full history of Custer’s misfortunes and his influence on the settlement of the Black Hills will make for an interesting and history-filled trip.

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LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS T R AV E L I NG E X H IBI T IONS E N JOY ROCK ST A R ST AT US

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TR AVELING MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS ARE ALMOST LIKE CONCERTS: WHEN BIG-NAME, BIG-DR AW SHOWS COME TO TOWN, PEOPLE SHOW UP IN DROVES. THESE SPECIAL, SHORT-TERM EXHIBITS GIVE VISITORS A CHANCE TO VIEW ARTIFACTS AND OBJECTS THEY M AY NEVER OTHERWISE SEE, FROM VIKING RELICS NEVER DISPL AYED OUTSIDE OF SCANDINAVIA TO MUMMIES NEVER DISPL AYED ANY WHERE.

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R E BE L , J E DI, PR I NC E SS, QU E E N: STAR WARS AND THE POWER OF COSTUME

THE SMITHSONIAN’S “REBEL, JEDI, PRINCESS, QUEEN” EXHIBIT FEATURES A VARIETY OF THE MOST POPULAR COSTUMES FROM THE STAR WARS FILM FRANCHISE.

The late Carrie Fisher hated one of the most iconic costumes she ever wore — Princess Leia’s infamous bronze bikini in 1983’s “Return of the Jedi” — because, she said, “you could see all the way to Florida.”

In most scenes, she wore a rubber stunt version of the outfit, which offered more movement but not more coverage.

The Smithsonian Institution’s “Star Wars and the Power of Costume” exhibit showcases more than 60 original costumes from the first 1977 film through the 2015 “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The exhibit will be at the Denver Art Museum through April 7. Although it is slated to travel through September 2020, the next destination hasn’t yet been announced.

Exhibits focus on the creative process of costume-making, from nightmarish concept sketches of Darth Maul to elaborate construction of Padmé Amidala’s dresses. Visitors can see Luke Skywalker’s cloak and kimono from “Return of the Jedi,” Chewbacca’s yak-hair costume and Boba Fett’s bounty-hunting outfit. Displays are rife with interesting trivia. For example, actor Anthony Daniels, who played the fussy, brassy C-3PO droid in all seven films, couldn’t sit down while wearing the intricate getup.

The exhibit will tour to other museums in the United States, with a schedule to be released this month.

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Photos by Benjamin Simkins

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M U M M I E S: NEW

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ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY AT THE “MUMMIES” EXHIBIT COME FROM PERU, EGYPT AND OTHER PARTS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD.

Most people associate mummies with ancient Egypt, but Peruvian and Chilean people were mummifying their dead 1,500 years before the Egyptians.

“Mummies: New Secrets From the Tombs” offers visitors a chance to see a selection of mummies — some on display for the first time — from The Field Museum in Chicago. The exhibit will open in March at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and run through January 2018.

Peruvians first began to mummify their dead about 7,000 years ago, a process, they believed, that allowed them to stay connected to and interact with their loved ones. Some people kept mummies in their homes, took them to festivals or brought them food. Archaeologists believe the first Egyptian mummies were created accidentally in the hot, dry desert about 5,500 years ago. Egyptians later developed their elaborate mummification process to allow the deceased to live on in the next world.

At interactive touch-screen tables, visitors can digitally “unwrap” several mummies via CT scans, learning about every layer: exterior linens, the skeletons inside, who the people likely were and what items were buried with them.

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Courtesy High Museum of Art

Photos by Benjamin Simkins

Photos by Rachel Carter

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A M E N DI NG A M E R IC A PHILADELPHIA Since the United States Constitution took effect in 1789, Congress has amended it 27 times — only 27 times out of 11,000 proposed amendments.

Visitors can learn about some of those failed amendments while exploring “Amending America,” on display through September 4 at the National Archives Museum in Washington.

The longest it ever took to ratify an amendment was 202 years, seven months and 10 days. The 27th Amendment was first submitted for ratification in 1789 along with the 10 amendments that became the Bill of Rights, but it wasn’t ratified until 1992.

The exhibition features more than 50 original documents as well as interactive displays that highlight the process of amending the Constitution.

Among the 11,000 proposed amendments was an 1838 effort to ban any person who had been involved in a duel from holding federal office, an 1888 amendment to give voting rights to widows and spinsters who owned property, and a 1938 effort to prohibit drunkenness — five years after Prohibition was repealed.

AN IMAGE FROM THE “AMENDING AMERICA” EXHIBIT DEPICTS A MOMENT FROM THE WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT THAT LED TO THE PASSING OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT.

Photos courtesy USNARA

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Barbecue, Bourbon & Bluegrass Owensboro, Kentucky

THIS DOCUMENT SHOWS THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION DRAFTED TO INCLUDE A PROHIBITION OF DUELING IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

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V I K I NG S: BEYOND

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LEGEND

Vikings have a reputation for being burly, bearded, horned warriors who sailed the world to burn and pillage. But visitors to “Vikings: Beyond the Legend” at the Cincinnati Museum Center may be surprised to find that many of the tales about the Viking culture are no more than myths.

The exhibit runs through April in Cincinnati before opening at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. It showcases more than 500 Viking artifacts and objects, many never seen outside of Scandinavia, including 1,000-year-old textiles, ceramics, jewelry and weapons.

Visitors can compete in traditional games, test their skills using a replica sword and learn about authentic Viking clothing. Exhibits explore Norse mythology and the world of Viking gods, like Thor and Odin. To-scale replicas of Viking ships include the 25-foot Krampmacken and the 21-foot Karl, and the genuine 122-foot Roskilde 6, the longest Viking ship ever discovered, is on display in North America for the first time.

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THE “VIKINGS” EXHIBIT INCLUDES SOME 1,000-YEAR-OLD ARTIFACTS THAT HAVE NEVER BEFORE BEEN OUTSIDE OF SCANDANAVIA.

IS YOUR GROUP READY FOR A GLIMPSE INTO A LIFE

L SS ORDINARY? Courtesy Cincinnati Museum Center

The Harley-Davidson Museum ® in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is more than a nostalgia trip for motorcycle enthusiasts, the Museum offers a glimpse of American history and culture like you’ve never seen before – through the successes and trials of an iconic American company.

Get Booked: groups@h-dmuseum.com 414-287-2799 | h-dmuseum.com

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NIGHTS AT THE MUSEUMS C ONC E R T S A R E A F T E R-HOU R S H I T S

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MUSIC PL AYS A KEY ROLE IN ART, HISTORY AND CULTURE, SO IT MAKES SENSE THAT MUSEUMS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE FINDING WAYS TO INCORPOR ATE MUSIC INTO THEIR OFFERINGS. WHETHER IT’S A CHAMBER ENSEMBLE PL AYING ALONG WITH SILENT FILMS OR A DJ SPINNING FOR A SILENT DISCO, VISITORS WILL FIND A VARIETY OF WAYS TO ENJOY MUSIC AT THESE MUSEUMS.

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T H E GE T T Y LOS SATURDAYS OFF THE 405 AT THE GETTY IN LOS ANGELES

ANGELES

The Getty in Los Angeles enjoys worldwide renown for its art collection, but its offerings of free music programs are almost as impressive. From May through August, Saturdays Off the 405 allows guests to revel in an evening of outdoor entertainment that includes live music from a variety of bands, DJ sets, and views of the city skyline. Also during the summer, Friday Flights is a monthly series of “interdisciplinary happenings” that invite L.A.-based artists to use music, performance, film and other mediums in the galleries to forge new connections to the collections and exhibits.

In the winter, Sounds of L.A. features two concerts each month with performances from up-and-coming classical masters. Throughout the year, the Getty also hosts Saturday Nights at the Getty, a contemporary performance series in the Harold M. Williams Auditorium.

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AN OUTDOOR CONCERT AT THE GETTY

BI R M I NGH A M M USE U M OF A RT BIRMINGHAM,

Photos courtesy The Getty

ALABAMA

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the annual Lavona Rushton Concert at the Birmingham Museum of Art in Birmingham, Alabama.

And because Mr. and Mrs. William J. Rushton III sponsor the event, it’s always free to the public. This past fall, renowned 30-year-old Ukrainian pianist Vadym Kholodenko performed, and the concert featured pianist Sean Chen the year before.

But guests don’t have to wait a year to enjoy live music at BMA. The first Friday of every month, the museum hosts Art After 5, an evening that blends art and entertainment through live music, art classes, specialty cocktails and tapas tastings. Live music performances vary every month, featuring jazz duos, local songwriters and area bands.

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A CONCERT IN THE AFTER DARK SERIES AT THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY IN PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH Five times a year, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History — one of four Carnegie museums in Pittsburgh — stays open late for a 21-and-over party, where guests mingle among the museum’s sauropods and T. rexes.

Each After Dark event includes live music, drinks and hor d’oeuvres for purchase, and curated programming intended to allow visitors to see and experience the museum in a new way. Every event is designed around a specific pop-culture-inspired theme. The theme for the March event is “Beauty and the Beast After Dark,” with a focus on metamorphosis, real beasts and “transformative natural phenomenon” in the museum’s castlelike setting.

The Carnegie Museum of Art’s Third Thursday program often features both live music and DJs. In December, guests donned headphones to dance around the museum during a silent disco, and January’s event featured live performances of songs inspired by the museum’s #cmoarealday social media campaign, which invited people to contribute images that represent their daily lives.

Courtesy CMNH

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May 27, 2017 – January 7, 2018

Titanic at the Reagan Library combines real artifacts with real stories – telling the story of Titanic in a way no Museum has done before!

Hundreds of items on display include:

THIRD THURSDAY AT THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART

By Bryan Conley, courtesy CMOA

A deck chair from the Titanic • The submersible used to find the wreckage A Widow’s Seat from the Carpethia • Madeleine Astor’s Titanic Life Jacket Sets, props & costumes from 20th Century Fox’s “Titanic” • and much more Groups of 25 or more will receive a group discount. Inquire today! msalvesen@reaganfoundation.org 805-577-2704

Tickets include admission to the Reagan Library... Walk through the Oval Office, Touch an actual part of the Berlin Wall and climb aboard Air Force One! 40 Presidential Drive • Simi Valley, CA 93065 • ReaganLibrary.com • 800.410.8354

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PE N N M USE U M PHILADELPHIA A few times a year, the internationally renowned group Relâche, a chamber ensemble dedicated to contemporary music, performs along with old silent films in Widener Hall at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia. In February, the octet played the newly expanded live music score by Chris McGlumphy accompanying the recently discovered complete version of Max Linder’s 1921 silent film comedy “Be My Wife.”

The group opened its fourth season in residence at the Penn last fall with a program that included new music composed with inspiration from some of the museum’s oldest artifacts: Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets.

During the summer, the P.M. @ Penn Museum Summer Nights concert series kicks into gear with a live music performance every Wednesday evening in the outdoor garden courtyard. Last summer’s series featured performances from the West Philadelphia Orchestra, Zydeco-A-Go-Go, El Caribefunk and Trinidelphia.

RELÂCHE AT THE PENN MUSEUM

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NASA Visitor Center

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SUMMER NIGHT CONCERT SERIES AT THE PENN MUSEUM

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See the world’s largest collection of space artifacts and explore the fascinating future of space travel!

Looking to stay a bit longer? Sign up for an inspiring experience at Space Camp! Two- to six-day Camps are available for all ages: children, families, adults and corporate groups.

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Huntsville, Alabama • (800) 637-7223 www.rocketcenter.com

H IGH M USE U M OF A RT ATLANTA The third Friday of every month, there’s one place to be in Atlanta: the High Museum of Art. During Friday Jazz, visitors can listen to live jazz concerts after or while exploring galleries that showcase works from the High’s 15,000-piece permanent collection.

Concerts are free with admission, and the lineup is diverse. Jazz performers and ensembles play in the Robinson Atrium while guests gather round the floor and balconies. January featured the sounds of experimental jazz group The Convergence, and Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, a legendary blues lady who has been playing guitar behind her head and belting out powerful songs for 50 years, is scheduled for February. March brings the swinging beats of drummer David Potter, and April will feature the soaring sounds of trumpeter Jason Collier.

W W W. H I G H .O R G FRIDAY JAZZ AT ATLANTA’S HIGH MUSEUM OF ART

Photo by Ilana Blumenthal

By Abel Klainbaum, courtesy High Museum of Art

“For EVERYONE who wants to know what FREEDOM means….”

- Lily R. Philadelphia, PA TripAdvisor

Interested in planning a group visit?

Contact Group Services at groups@nmajh.org or 215-923-3811 x141.

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GRAND OPENINGS T H E SE M U SE U M S A R E N E W OR I M PR O V E D

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WHETHER THEY NUMBER 30,000 OR 3 MILLION, MUSEUMS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO DISPL AY THEIR ARTWORK AND ARTIFACTS AND TRYING TO FIND THE BEST WAYS TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE CULTURES THEY REPRESENT. THESE MUSEUMS ARE DOING THAT THROUGH RENOVATED EXHIBITS, EXPANDED GALLERIES AND NEW BUILDINGS.

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THE NEWLY EXPANDED RICHARD NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

R ICH A R D N I XON PR E SI DE N T I A L L I BR A RY A N D M USE U M YORBA

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CALIFORNIA

It’s challenging to fairly portray a presidency associated with Watergate and the Vietnam War, but the newly renovated Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California, strives to tell the whole story of Nixon’s presidency — scandal and success alike.

The center reopened in October after being closed for a year during a $15 million renovation and expansion. The project included a new 18,000-square-foot wing as well as new interactive exhibits. Visitors can pose with a life-size Nixon in front of a Great Wall of China backdrop; sit behind a replica of the historic Wilson Desk in the to-scale Oval Office; and lift the receivers of several 1960s-era telephones to hear recordings of Nixon speaking with astronauts and politicians, world leaders and family members. Work also included digitizing archives to make them more available.

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A REPLICA OF NIXON’S EAST ROOM Courtesy Richard Nixon Foundation

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PHOE BE A . H E A R ST M USE U M OF A N T H ROPOL OG Y BERKELEY,

CALIFORNIA

The Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California Berkeley needs more room to display its collection. After all, it has some 3.8 million pieces. Two projects will help the museum do just that: a new gallery and new collection storage facilities.

Crews are renovating a 5,200-square-foot gallery on the south end of Kroeber Hall that will rotate objects from the permanent collection throughout the year. One corner of the gallery will feature a 700-squarefoot multipurpose Learning Center where groups can explore items from the museum’s vast collections, participate in workshops and attend lectures.

The project also includes a new patio at Kroeber Hall’s south-side entrance.

Two collection storage facilities house the museum’s osteological collection, global textile collections, basket collection and others.

A GHANAIAN COFFIN AT THE HEARST MUSEUM Courtesy Hearst Museum of Anthropology

H E A R S T M U S E U M . B E R K E L E Y. E D U

Gro up R ates Ava ilab le.

FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS

It should have been impossible. Crossing the world’s widest ocean to answer an attack made by a powerful adversary. Through hostile terrain and untold suffering, millions of Americans pushed past impossible to win the Pacific war. Follow in their footsteps on The Road to Tokyo, a new immersive experience at the The National WWII Museum.

#1 Attraction in New Orleans #4 Museum in the United States #11 Museum in the World

945 MAGAZINE STREET, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA | 877.813.3329 x 222 | NATIONALWW2MUSEUM.ORG

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STUNNING ARCHITECTURE AND COMPELLING EXHIBITS AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE IN WASHINGTON

By Alan Karchmer, courtesy NMAAHC

N AT ION A L M USE U M OF A F R IC A N A M E R IC A N H IST ORY A N D C U LT U R E WASHINGTON The latest addition to the National Mall in Washington is a cultural institution, a work of architectural art and a smash hit. The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in September and drew more than 730,000 visitors in the 14 weeks it was open last year.

To visit, guests must have timed-entry passes, which have been selling out months in advance, but the effort to get one is well worth it. The building’s exterior is covered in a gleaming, bronze-colored architectural scrim. Inside, the Smithsonian Institution museum features nearly 37,000 artifacts, documents and photos that explore African-American life, history and culture. Exhibits include “Slavery,” “Segregation,” “Civil Rights,” “American South,” “American West,” “Education,” “Family,” “Military,” “Music,” “Literature” and “Photography.” Some of the most stunning pieces include Harriet Tubman’s personal hymnal, Louis Armstrong’s trumpet and a dress sewn by Rosa Parks.

NMAAHC.SI.EDU

Courtesy High Museum of Art

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S A N F R A NCISC O M USE U M OF MODE R N A RT SAN

FRANCISCO

The expansion project took three years, but the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) reopened in May 2016 with 170,000 square feet of new and renovated indoor and outdoor galleries.

The architecture firm Snøhetta designed the striking white expansion, which includes 10 new stories that sit seamlessly atop the original Mario Botta-designed building.

The project tripled SFMOMA’s previous gallery space, allowing the museum to display more of its collection of 33,000 modern and contemporary works of art. The museum reopened with 19 special exhibitions, including a selection of 260 postwar and contemporary works from the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection. SFMOMA includes free public access to nearly 45,000 square feet of galleries on the ground floor as well as permanently free admission to all visitors 18 and younger.

AN AVANT GARDE CHANDELIER ON DISPLAY AT THE NEWLY EXPANDED SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

W W W. S FM O M A .O R G

By Iwan Baan, courtesy SFMOMA

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GE R A L D R . F OR D PR E SI DE N T I A L M USE U M GRAND

W W W. FO R D LI B R A RY M US E U M .G OV

Photos by William Hebert, courtesy Ford Presidential Museum

Discover The Huntington GROUP RATES AVAILABLE

Featuring an All-New, Immersive Entertainment Experience OPENING MARCH 2017

GRACELAND.COM/GROUPS • 800-238-2010 © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2017 ABG EPE IP LLC

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MICHIGAN

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is the only presidential museum in the nation that isn’t in the same location as the presidential library. President Ford wanted the museum to be in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, but preferred his archives to be housed in Ann Arbor, where he attended the University of Michigan.

The museum reopened in June after an eight-month, $13-million renovation that included the new 8,000-square-foot DeVos Learning Center, where students and other groups learn about character and civic engagement through the lens of Ford’s life. New interactive exhibits feature interactive displays with more video, audio and touch screens. One exhibit uses lighting and special effects to re-create the typhoon that threatened the USS Monterey aircraft carrier on which Ford served in World War II.

VISITORS CAN SEE A RE-CREATION OF GERALD FORD’S OVAL OFFICE AT THE FORD PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM, WHICH RECENTLY REOPENED AFTER A $13 MILLION RENOVATION AND EXPANSION.

Group Tours Available Pasadena Adjacent huntington.org

RAPIDS,

MUSEUMS

M G U I D E

2017 MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS GUIDE

ALABAMA

U.S. Space & Rocket centeR 1 Tranquility Base Huntsville, AL 35805 800-637-7223 Tom White tom.white@spacecamp.com www.rocketcenter.com The U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) is the largest spaceflight museum in the world, showcasing the past, present and future of human spaceflight. The Rocket Center serves as the Official NASA Visitor Center for Marshall Space Flight Center and Tennessee Valley Authority and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

CALIFORNIA

the hUntington LibRaRy, aRt coLLectionS, and botanicaL gaRdenS 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, CA 91108 626-405-2100 Jane Sandmeier tours@huntington.org www.huntington.org The Huntington:World renowned center of art & culture, covering 120 acres of breathtaking gardens. Featuring British, French & American art, and Library treasures.

Highlights: Gainsborough’s Blue Boy, a Gutenberg Bible, 16 magnificent gardens including California Drought Tolerant, Japanese, Chinese, Rose, Camellia, Desert & Children’s Gardens. Group Tours our specialty.

CALIFORNIA

the RonaLd Reagan pReSidentiaL LibRaRy and MUSeUM 40 Presidential Drive Simi Valley, CA 93065 800-410-8354 Melanie Salvesen msalvesen@reaganfoundation.org www.reaganlibrary.com The Reagan Library is one of California’s most beautiful and unique destinations. Tour through the actual Air Force One that flew seven U.S. presidents. View a full scale replica of the Oval Office. Touch an authentic piece of the Berlin Wall. Also home to President and Mrs. Reagan’s memorial site.

LOUISIANA

NORTH CAROLINA

TENNESSEE

the nationaL wwii MUSeUM

the biLLy gRahaM LibRaRy

eLviS pReSLey’S gRaceLand

945 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA 70130 504-528-1944 • 877-813-3329 x222 Ruth Katz group.sales@nationalww2museum.org www.nationalww2museum.org Ranked the #1 attraction in New Orleans and the #4 museum in the U.S. by TripAdvisor, The National WWII Museum is a remarkable must-see attraction that illuminates the American experience in WWII. Group rates, specialty tours, field trips, team-building, live shows in BB’s Stage Door Canteen and more!

4330 Westmont Drive Charlotte, NC 28217 704 401-3200 Sonya Johnson librarytours@bgea.org www.billygrahamlibrary.org The Billy Graham Library—like the Crusades that went before it—has kept the Gospel as its singular message since opening 10 years ago. Come to the Library and retrace Billy Graham’s dynamic journey from humble farm boy to international ambassador of the Good News of Jesus Christ through state-of-the-art-exhibits, multimedia presentations, and fascinating memorabilia.

717 Elvis Presley Boulevard Memphis, TN 38116 800-238-2010 Carolyn Mears reservations@graceland.com www.graceland.com/groups Explore Graceland Mansion as an interactive, iPad tour guides you through the place that Elvis called home. Then, visit the all-new, immersive entertainment experience - Elvis Presley’s Memphis - opening in spring of 2017. The full experience will take you from Elvis’ humble beginnings through his rise to superstardom including automobiles, stage costumes and more.

MISSOURI

nationaL bLUeS MUSeUM

PENNSYLVANIA

WISCONSIN

615 Washington Avenue St Louis, MO 63101 314-925-0016 Sherry Nash snash@nationalbluesmuseum.org www.nationalbluesmuseum.org The National Blues Museum explores the Blues and celebrates the genre as the foundation of all modern American music. The facility educates guests in an entertaining environment that includes high impact technology driven experiences, a state-of-the-art theater, artifact-driven exhibits and robust public programming.

nationaL MUSeUM of aMeRican JewiSh hiStoRy

haRLey-davidSon MUSeUM®

101 S. Independence Mall East Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-923-3811 Beth Heaney groups@nmajh.org www.NMAJH.org Located on historic Independence Mall, the National Museum of American Jewish History brings to life the more than 360-year history of Jews in America. The Museum invites visitors of all backgrounds to share their own stories and reflect on how their histories and identities shape and are shaped by the American experience.

400 W. Canal Street Milwaukee, WI 53201 877-436-8738 groups@h-dmuseum.com www.h-dmuseum.com Whether you were born to be wild – or mild – makes no difference at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. More than a nostalgia trip for motorcycle enthusiasts, the Museum offers a glimpse of American history and culture like you’ve never seen it before – through the successes and trials of an iconic American company.

MISSOURI

TENNESSEE

the MaRk twain boyhood hoMe and MUSeUM 120 N. Main Hannibal, MO 63401 573-221-9010 Melissa Cummins reservations@marktwainmuseum.org www.marktwainmuseum.org Come see where the stories started! Tour our five historic properties and two interactive museums, including Mark Twain’s Boyhood Home. Experience interactive exhibits, live performances, treasured Clemens artifacts and original Norman Rockwell illustrations and learn how a small boy from Hannibal became one of America’s most beloved authors.

coUntRy MUSic haLL of faMe and MUSeUM 222 Fifth Ave South Nashville, TN 37203 615-416-2001 Brad Henton BHenton@countrymusichalloffame.org www. CountryMusicHallofFame.org For half a century the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum has been home to a growing collection which stands now at over 2.5 million artifacts, including one-of-a-kind recordings, films, instruments, stage wear, and more. Historic RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print are historic properties of the Museum.

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sound-off

STAFF HA

U IC I

My playlist today for long flights includes alt rock musicians like Jay Farrar, Sonvolt and The Tallest Man on Earth, plus old favorites like Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty.

There is also one particular soundtrack I’ve downloaded that resonates with me when I’m traveling: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” I think it’s one of the best travel films and soundtracks made in recent years.

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AY I T FO

I like ’90s grunge, alternative, punk mix. If you’re looking for girl pop music, please see Brian Jewell.

— Stacey Bowman, DIRECTOR, ADVERTISING SALES

Sing along to one Taylor Swift song, and Stacey Bowman will never let you forget it….

— Mac Lacy, PUBLISHER

— Brian Jewell, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

My playlist has anything from U2, Imagine Dragons and the Cure.

I like music from all genres and have a pretty eclectic library on my iTunes, but my current favorite road trip album is “The Traveller” by Chris Stapleton.

I did make Brian Jewell suffer through what was essentially the Lilith Fair’s greatest hits on a recent road trip, though, so he’d probably tell you all I listen to is chick bands.

— Donia Simmons, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

— Kelly Tyner, DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING I

S

S

U

O

IP ?

We have a pretty wide taste in music, so we always pick our playlist based on our destination. Louisiana meant zydeco and jazz. On another trip to Mississippi, we listened to blues legends like Howling Wolf and Lead Belly. On extralong drives, we throw in favorites like Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Shakey Graves, too.

— Ashley Ricks, CIRCULATION MANAGER

My music tastes are always evolving, but a few of my favorite travel tracks include “Sleep on the Floor” by the Lumineers, “Hopeless Wanderer” by Mumford and Sons, “Dreams” by Brandi Carlile, “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine, “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane, “First Train Home” by Imogen Heap and “It’s Not Impossible” by Ben Sollee.

— Savannah Osbourn, STAFF WRITER

E

FEBRUARY 2017

EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to Staff Sound-Off, the monthly column where our staff members answer questions about their travel practices and preferences.

We hope you enjoy these tips. If you have a question you’d like to see us answer, send it to me and it may appear in a future issue.

BRIANJ@GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM

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Photo by Lindsey Best © 2017 Blue Man Productions, LLC.

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